Diploma Project Proposal

Abhighna BarariaVisual Communication Design

Project StatementA project, that aims to make History an interesting subject for students.

When I was in school I used to hate history because of the long sleepy boring chapters and the traditional ways on how it is being taught in class. Only when I matured enough I understood and realized the importance of the subject and the interesting revelations and discoveries about the roots of the world and human race. Now when I interact with school kids most of them find history the most boring subject amongst all and don't understand the importance or the value of the subject and take for granted the heritage that has been left behind.

My aim is to create a product that will help in making History an interesting subject for school children. This can include story telling and ways of making the product interactive which will help the child to engage and make the subject interesting. The product can be an application for ios or android, an eBook or a physical book.

Why History? Why Children? The Need?History is not just a monument, person or a bunch of dates! It’s a Story..

- The traditional ways on how the subject is being taught is quiet boring which leaves children uninterested. The teaching methods are not ideal for the children of today’s generation. - The existing materials, even the new apps that are currently available on ios and android are quiet boring. - Children are unaware of the rich culture and history of India and It is important to have the knowledge at a young age because of the vast career choices available to one. - A system, which does not involve textbooks, has the element of interaction and can capture the child’s interest. This is more likely to make the experience of education more engaging.

The SolutionThe e-book/ application/ book/ form will involve stories, illustrations and activities that will help students to engage with the subject and help them understand better. The e-book/ application/ book/ form could include games, pop ups, sound, motion graphics that help them relate to the subject better.

Research questionsUser interviews will be of tremendous importance for research. Who my target audience is and what is the market? Understanding the need of my target audience.

What are the existing products available and looking at what’s already been done?What are the existing methods of teaching the subject in schools? Understanding the need of teachers also. What are the limitations of the product with regard to different groups of children?What urban children respond and relate to as opposed to rural children?The language (visual, text, verbal) that is best understood and responded to by children?How can I create an experience of a fun learning while making it interactive for the child?

Approach/ ProcessThe project will begin with understanding the content that I will be working upon followed by the existing methods of teaching the subject. I will research my target audience and look at the above written research questions. After finishing up the research on the topic I will ideate on what the product and medium needs to be and make prototypes for the same.

Resources- Interviews with children, parents and teachers- History Text books from various boards- Web articles and forums(Will keep listing this through the course of my project)

Learning Outcome- To completely be independent. - Exploring different mediums, forms and technology to create a product that can become a resource for schools too!- To find a good balance of functionality and aesthetics.- Understanding the process that goes behind creating an educational kit. - Exhibiting my skills in user interface, illustration and information design. - To explore my role as a visual communicator.